Goat Yoga, Trap Yoga, Doga (yoga with dogs), Buti Yogi, and more. The yoga industry does not lack for unique yoga offerings. If you’ve ever thought about offering a unique yoga class, there is no better time than the present. Due to COVID-19, people are social distancing and staying indoors, and they’re truly craving new things to try. So yogi, this is your chance to get students hooked on your new offering so that when the world goes back to normal you already have your fan base!
We sat down with a yoga teacher who did just that and is now reaping the benefits of her unique yoga offering. Bekah Andrew created Breath & Beats,* an upbeat yoga class with a live DJ, almost three years ago. She lays out the steps to create a class and gain a following that will keep your students coming back for more.
1. how did you come up with the idea for Breath & beats?
My husband Nick has a passion for music and I obviously have a passion for teaching yoga. About seven years ago we thought, “wouldn’t it be fun if we brought these two passions together in a live DJ yoga class?!” It was pretty organic since we were both heavily pursuing our passions, so we just started doing it. Over time the class has evolved and improved. We are now at the point where we are perfectly synced up. Nick’s choices of music pairs really well with the yoga poses I put in a sequence. The combination of the two helps students have a deeper connection with their asanas. It is really cool!
Up until this point we have been doing this class live in yoga studios and at other venues, but when COVID-19 hit the class went on pause along with everything else. I said to Nick, “When things go back to normal we need to do a giant Breath & Beats celebration.” He responded, “let’s just start streaming the class live right now.” We streamed our first class on Friday, March 20 and it was a huge hit! It was so amazing to connect with students and continue to share our passion even though we couldn’t be with them physically. It felt like such a breath of fresh air to share positivity and music with everyone, and to dance and move together. We were so humbled by the response and we can’t wait to keep doing it! It brings us, as well as our students, so much joy!
2. Since you started this class, what other iterations of it have you seen popping up?
Yoga with a live DJ has been around for quite some time, but I think what makes us unique is that we are a real life couple so we vibe off of one another really well. When Nick goes into some heavier, bass-driven music, that’s my cue to keep the momentum going. On the flip side, he knows when we all need a break so he takes the tempo down a bit. I have seen a lot of people doing this type of offering ‘Silent Disco’ style, where each participant wears headphones. We tried this a few times, but it didn’t work for us. We found that the headphones got in the way of the practice. There is also something special about the music filling the space and students being able to feel and build the energy together.
3. What is it about this class that keeps people coming back, and what do you think yoga teachers should keep in mind when building their own unique yoga class to get students excited about it?
I think that one of the things that makes the class so special is that we both put so much of ourselves into it. The music Nick plays and the flows I come up with are so meaningful to both of us, and we are always so excited to share what we’ve created. I think this passion comes through in the class and it creates a really positive energy that everyone can tap into. Everyone feels connected in class, and the same can be said for the livestream as well.
4. What advice do you have for teachers who want to start a unique yoga offering but don’t really know where to start?
Follow what you really love to teach. That way, when you are first building your following, you won’t get too frustrated if it takes a while to catch on. Breath & Beats really started gaining traction within the last three years, and that was after four years of hit and miss attendance. We literally taught to an average of seven people for two years straight, but we kept at it because we believed in it and knew that we had an audience out there who would love what we were doing – we just had to find them. But I will say it was a lot of trial and error. We used to offer the class weekly in a studio but that diluted the experience. We have had the most success offering it monthly and outside at different beer gardens during the warmer months. This made it feel unique and timely. Now that we are offering it from the comfort of our own home we’re able to offer it weekly. So, overall, follow what you love, be willing to adapt, and keep at it!
5. If teachers are trying to talk themselves out of creating a new class style because they don’t think people would like it, what advice can you give them to take the chance anyways?
I think you have to ask yourself if you’re willing to risk not doing what you love because of what people think. Are you willing to risk not connecting with students whose lives might change because of your offering? Are you willing to sit in your own uncertainty and fear for the rest of your life wondering what if? Basically, life is short and when you get the chance, take a leap. In my opinion, the only failure is not trying.
6. Why do you think now is the right time for teachers to come up with new offerings?
We are all having to adapt to a new environment right now, so it’s a great time to try new things, see what works, and experiment with what you like teaching. The sooner you do it, the sooner you will be comfortable offering your classes in this new way. This is a great time to put energy into building your new offering.
7. What advice can you give teachers about marketing their new offerings, especially given the times we are facing now with corona?
Reach out to your students, people who already know you, and people who like you. Right now people need things to do at home and they want to support you. This is an opportunity to reach captive audiences. And if they like what you are offering, ask them to invite their friends!
* Check out Breath & Beats every Friday night at 7:00pm throughout the COVID-19 pandemic on their Twitch channel: https://www.twitch.tv/breathandbeats. Beats start at 6:30, yoga from 7:00-8:00pm PST, then a dance party until 8:30 pm!
Bekah started practicing yoga in 2009 as a way to cope with her early 20’s. She immediately fell in love and did her first teacher training in 2011 and is now a 500-hr yoga instructor. In addition to Breath & Beats, Nick and Bekah have a video production company called Abandon Ship Productions, you can view their work at abandonshipproductions.com. They have three cats: Stuart, Buckets and Numa all in 400 sq ft in Berkeley, CA. They are active rock climbers and love going on outdoor adventures!
Stay in touch with Bekah!
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Benditwithbekah.com
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Breathandbeats.com
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IG: @benditwithbekah
